PREVENT
STRATEGY
LEARNING
British Values
Why British values?
The promotion of British values is part of the Prevent agenda. The reason these values are to be promoted is to prevent people becoming radicalised and taking part in extremist activities.
By understanding the values we share as British citizens, we can develop a common sense of identity.
But what are British values perceived to be? By watching the video below, it is clear that everyone has a different sense of what Britishness is.
By reading the BBC news article by Mark Easton and watching the video clip, it is also clear how many different social groups and ethnicities positively identify themselves as British.
BBC news article: How British is Britain?
What are British values?
As Mark Easton states in the BBC news article, according to data from the 2011 census, British identity is more attractive to the younger generation than the old. The BBC video clearly illustrates how diverse social groups all identify themselves as British; as the video concludes, this sense of shared identity highlights contemporary Britain as a nation that is inclusive, broadminded and tolerant of difference.
This vision of Britain informs the British values that are to be promoted as part of the Prevent Strategy - these are:
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Democracy
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The Rule of Law
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Individual Liberty
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Mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs
Democracy is a state of society characterised by equality of rights and governments that are representative of the will of the population subject to a free electoral system.
The Rule of Law is the principle that all people and institutions are accountable to law that is fairly applied without exception.
Individual Liberty is the notion that all individuals can freely express themselves through the freedom of speech and lawful actions without interference from the state.
Mutual respect and tolerance can be defined as a permissive attitude toward those whose opinions, beliefs, practices, racial or ethnic origins differ from one's own.
By practising these values, it is hoped that all citizens cooperate with mutual respect in a diverse society that intends to treat all equally and fairly within the rule of law. By adopting these values, it is anticipated that citizens are less likely to be drawn towards extremism and radicalisation.